AT THE halfway stage of the Bradford & District Evening League season, things could hardly be tighter in Division One, with just three points separating the top from the bottom.

After losing their opening two games, the Adil Rashid Cricket Academy now sit proudly at the top of the table after a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over an improving Shelf.

The Academy skittled Shelf out for 40 in just 8.3 overs, thanks to the efforts of Imran Arif (4-6), but that score could have been a whole lot worse had it not been for No 10 Naveed Mohammed’s late 25.

Shelf’s overseas player Asif Afridi grabbed 3-16 before the Academy reached their target in just 6.5 overs.

The Academy replace Salem Athletic as front-runners.

They travelled to Denholme with many of their star players missing, and it showed as they were dismissed for just 70.

Denholme skipper Richard Wear continued his recent good form with 39 not out as the home side won by nine wickets.

Free-scoring Thornton did it again against Ciroc at the Karmand Centre, rattling up the highest score of the day of 157-4 from their 16 overs (Tom Clee 50no, Tom Harrison 46, Elliot Richardson 39).

Ciroc fell 24 runs short on 133-7 (Bilal Ahmed 50no, Raqeeb Younis 27, Kez Ahmed 26no) as Scott Richardson took 3-32.

Unfortunately, it can now be confirmed that Mayfield have had to withdraw from the league due to player difficulties and other internal issues.

All their results are now null and void and have been removed from the league tables.

Unbeaten Hepworth & Idle look certainties to be promoted from Division Two with another emphatic victory at Westfield Lane, this time over Great Horton Park Chapel.

Tight bowling restricted the visitors to 84-6 from their 16 overs, with Nicolas Flood top scoring with 37.

Kevin McDermott continued his good form with the bat with 45 not out as the hosts passed their target with seven wickets to spare.

John Breare are now looking favourites to join Hepworth & Idle in the top flight next season as they notched their fifth consecutive victory with a hard-fought 14-run win at promotion rivals Crossflatts.

Hall Park’s overseas Robbie Salerni (35) and opener Peter Kempton (27) were the main contributors to their 123-8.

In reply, Hamayun Shahzad’s 50 not out was not quite enough to see Flatts home as they ended on 109-5.

A rampant Raja’s went on a late run spree at Cambing, making 144-8 from their 16 overs, thanks to No 8 Rashid Mahmood (49no) and No 9 Shehzad Ahmed (35).

This was despite fine bowling performances from Ayaz Khan (3-18) and Asad Khan (3-26), which reduced Raja’s to 31-6.

Raja’s made sure of victory, however, as Adam Zahid and Nazam Hussain both took 3-14 as Cambing were bowled out for 70.

The closest finish of the day was at Bradshaw, where the home side scraped home off the last ball of the game against Cross Roads & Daisy Hill.

The Windhill outfit scored 129-6, with Mahesh Patel once again retiring on 50, supported by Byron Greenwood’s 34.

Matthew Corton and James Myers saw Bradshaw home for the loss of five wickets after opener Imran Aslam had top-scored with 38.

Tomorrow night’s games are – Division One: Adil Rashid Cricket Academy v Ciroc, Denholme v Shelf, Greenfield v Thornton. Free week: Salem Athletic. Division Two: Bradshaw v Hepworth & Idle, Cambing v Cross Roads & Daisy Hill, Crossflatts v Raja’s, John Breare v Great Horton Park Chapel.